Mom is a 42-year-old seller of snacks and drinks. She is married with three young children. Her husband also sells goods at the market in Siem Reap province. She works hard to keep their house clean, cook for the children, and spend time with relatives when she has free time. Ten years ago, Mom had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. Mom experiences frequent ear infections causing ear discharge, hearing loss and tinnitus. It is difficult for her to communicate with others. She feels unwell and often cannot work due to frequent headaches. Mom is frustrated because she has spent money on medicine and treatments but nothing has worked. Mom traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 8th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She hopes that - after this surgery - her ear infections will disappear and she will improve her hearing. She said, "I want to care for my children and not always feel bad."

Saing is a 74-year-old rice farmer. She is a widow and has one daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren. Her husband passed away during the Khmer Rouge regime, so she lives with her oldest daughter, who works in a garment factory. Saing used to be a rice farmer but shared that she can no longer work in the fields due to her declining vision. At home, Saing likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and go to the pagoda. Four years ago, Saing developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. As a result of this condition, Saing has difficulty seeing things clearly and a hard time with day-to-day tasks. She used to cook for her daughter's family but finds it too difficult now. When Saing learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On April 22nd, she will undergo surgery to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. CSC is requesting $225 to cover the total cost of her procedure, which includes medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Saing shared, "I hope my eyes stop burning after surgery, and I can go outside and be more independent."

Jemimah is a 45 year old business woman who lives with her husband and five children in Uganda. She runs her family’s small furniture shop, where her husband works as a carpenter, to earn a living for their family. They have no house of their own, and live in their friend’s house as caretakers. Earlier this year, Jemimah began experiencing severe back pain, accompanied by other worrisome symptoms. As a result of her condition, she no longer feels able to take an active part in their family business. Jemimah has been diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial hyperplasia. If her condition is left untreated, Jemimah could be at risk for developing uterine cancer. In order to treat her condition, Jemimah needs to undergo a hysterectomy. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund Jemimah's surgery, which is scheduled for May 13th at Rushroza Hospital. Once she has fully recovered, Jemimah will be able to resume her daily activities, free of pain. Jemimah says: “I am troubled because I can no longer do my duties like I used to before. I am in pain. I pray and hope to get well through surgery so that I may get back to my duties and continue taking care of my family.”